Newborn Shih Tzu puppies begin to make noises shortly after their eyes open. They will also begin to try and get up and waddle around the whelping box at this time. Between three and four weeks you might want to provide newborn Shih Tzu puppies with a new safe daytime area for extra stimulation. A new larger area physically stimulates and mentally challenges newborn Shih Tzu puppies.

If you want that perfect show dog look in your Shih Tzu you might as well relax to the fact that it involved brushing, brushing, brushing, and daily brushing. A thorough head-to-tail groom is often needed at least every other day if not “daily.”

However, Shih Tzu coat textures are very different. You might get by with once weekly brushing if the Shih Tzu’s coat is the type of texture that does not mat and tangle easily. If you have only one Shih Tzu, grooming should not be a problem. It can be quite pleasurable for you and your Shih Tzu. It can be an excellent time to bond with each other, and have nice close little chats with each other.

In part II of this series of articles we started discussion about the Shih Tzu topknot. Follow the steps below to create a Shih Tzu topknot:

1. Take the hair for the topknot from above the nose and eye. Be careful to not draw up any beyond the outer corner of each eye or back of the ears. If the Shih Tzu’s head is small, take up less and make a narrow topknot. When you place a band be careful to not place it too tight. The skin can become sore and the Shih Tzu will most likely attempt to scratch it all out.
2. If the Shih Tzu is very heavily coated you may need to use more than one band to hold up the topknot.

The Shih Tzu’s coat for the show rings requires extra care. Some show people actually keep their Shih Tzu confined and caged to preserve the coat, or they wrap the coat or oil it. Those who do keep their show Shih Tzu confined and caged pay a price in loss of muscle tone in their dogs.

In part I of this series of articles about life with the Shih Tzu I discussed the beginning steps of daily grooming of your Shih Tzu. In this article I will continue that discussion. Once you have the hair on the tummy and legs all brushed out, flick all the body hair up and over the back before brushing it downwards again, a layer at a time, using the nylon and bristle brush.

The Shih Tzu (pronounced “Sheet-sue”) has a lot of spunk and is a very alert and resilient dog. Like all dogs in the Toy dog group, Shih Tzus have a lot of character and are courageous for their size. Throughout history they were raised as pampered pooches in the Imperial Chinese Court. Bred in the forbidden city of Peking, the Shih Tzu didn’t leave China until the early 20th century when they first appeared in Britain. Today they are a popular breed worldwide.